Loving your own body can be difficult, especially with so much negativity coming from social media, society and peer pressure.
Though, for our own mental health and well-being, it’s important to promote and experience body positivity. Why, you ask? Well, because research has shown that stigma around weight can impact your health negatively.
Whilst it’s not easy to change the way we think, and time after time we occasionally get the negative thought about our appearance, it is an important exercise to undertake daily.
So, if you’re ready to put daily effort into it, then prepare yourself for a long journey ahead. Follow us as we join the body positivity movement to discuss 10 practices that will allow you to feel more confident in your own skin!
1. Positive affirmations
A great way to improve your well-being is by telling yourself positive affirmations every day. Now, when we say this, we really do mean speak aloud!
Vocalise your affirmations so you can establish self-love for yourself. Whether that be while you stare at yourself in the mirror or having positive affirmations on sticky notes around your house, it’s up to you.
Need a hand? Check out 50 examples from The Everygirl.
2. Offer compliments freely
Within our society, it’s common to judge others based on appearances. Though, if you’ve been judged before, you will know it’s not a fun experience.
Instead, we should embrace the body positivity movement, and promote kindness. By doing this, it will also allow us to be kinder to ourselves.
So, go and be someone’s ray of sunshine and give them a heartfelt compliment!
3. Limit negative influences
Every day we are constantly exposed to negative messages about body image; think photoshopped social media posts, and models on runways for example. Over time these subliminal messages will influence us to become insecure about our bodies.
Limit exposure to negative influences, whether that’s on social media or toxic people, to improve your mental health and well-being.
4. Focus on your positive attributes
Research has shown that humans tend to make decisions grounded on negative information over positive data. This, unfortunately, means that we tend to believe what we are told, especially if it’s negative.
Due to this, it’s crucial to focus on the positive attributes we have. So, make a list of everything you like about your personality and body, then pin it somewhere where you would see it daily.
5. Don’t compare yourself to others
Time and time again you will hear someone say that you shouldn’t compare yourself to others. But why not? Well, for starters, every single person is different. We are all unique and beautiful in our own way.
Remember this next time you start to compare yourself to someone else.
6. Stop talking badly about yourself
Do you regularly talk bad about yourself? If you do, answer this; would you say something negative to a friend about their personality or body?
The answer is no, you wouldn’t! So, treat yourself with the same kindness and stop the body negative comments to improve your well-being.
7. Absorb messages about body positivity
As the body positivity movement grows, so does its social media coverage. That means there are Instagram and Facebook accounts dedicated to improving mental health and well-being while boosting serotonin.
Follow the pages that talk about body positivity and absorb their daily messages to help you through your day!
8. Indulge in self care
Spending an allocated time every week or month to indulge in self-care can massively improve your well-being. Whether that is listening to podcasts that make you happy, having a spa day or just simply watching a movie in your pyjamas; it’s completely up to you.
Just remember that your body is a temple, so treat it like one!
9. Remind yourself that beauty is only skin deep
When you realise that 100% of you is completely unique and beautiful, then you will carry yourself with confidence. Along with this, you will be more open to positive experiences and will accept yourself for who you truly are.
After all, beauty is a state of mind, not a state of your body.
10. Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself
Have you ever felt shy because you weren’t comfortable in your outfit? Well, there’s a simple fix to this problem so you always feel good about yourself: wear clothes that fit you!
Though, if you are unsure what body type you are, read our style guide to figure it out and learn how to accentuate your body shape.
After going through the 10 body positivity practices, you will find that you can be the best you in no time at all! All it takes is effort and confidence in yourself.
To make a positive impact to your mental health and well-being, we recommend bookmarking this page to reference daily. We want to help you achieve the body positivity you deserve, so let us be your aid!
Subscribe to The Renaissaint’s Youtube channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1AWq1FOK8cZ9adUfePE3Gw